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I. w FROST. ELECTRICAL TRANSMITTING DEVICE AND CIRCUITS THEREFOR.

APPLICATION FILED JULY I3. I9II.

PatenIed Aug. 22, 1916.

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3 a w y J. W. FROST.

ELECTRICAL TRANSMITTING DEVICE AND CIRCUITS THEREFOR.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 3. l9]!- 4 SHEETS-SHEET '2- anvento'p Wit Fl gases ms Nun/u: runs on nnarourna. wasmuo 111M. 1; c.

Jr W. FROST. ELECTRICAL TRANSMITTING DEVICE AND CIRCUITS THEREFOR. APPLICATION FILED JULY l3.-19n.

- 1,195,574. Patented Aug. 22, 1916.

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Gwen/mug J. W. FROST.

ELECTRICAL TRANSMITTING DEVICE AND CIRCUITS THEREFOR. APPLICATION FILED JULY 13, 19H.

1,1 95,5 74. Patented Aug. 22, 1916,

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JOSEPH W. FROST, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

ELECTRICAL TRANSMITTING DEV ICE AND CIRCUITS THEREFOR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 22, 1916..

Application filed July 13, 1911. Serial No. 6383205 To all whom it may concern Be it knownvthat I, Josnrrr W. Fnos'r, a citizen of the United States, residing at Washington, in the District of Columbia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electrical Transmitting Devices and Circuits Therefor, of which the following is a specification.

This invention is an improvement in automatic fire-alarm telegraph systems and in a combined transmitting and annunciating mechanism; including circuits therefor. In Patent Number 563,474 dated July 7th, 1896, and issued to myself, a somewhat similar system is shown, but the mechanism to be described, with its circuits and connections, is more efiicient and economical than that of the patent referred to. Because of advantages described in said patent, an open-circuit thermostat, having multiple contact points, is combined with a closed-circuit system; thus securing the advantages of each form without the disadvantages of either. A disk form of thermostat is shown in the pat ent referred to and is preferred; but it is plain any other form having similar multicontact points may be used.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which,

Figure 1 is a front elevation of the transmitting and annunciating mechanism, showing the relative position of the parts as used in practice. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of same with magnet coils removed. Fig. 3 is a horizontal section on the line w of Fig. 2. Fig. i is a sectional view on the line 3 1 of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a diagram of the circuit in its normal condition. Fig. 6 is a diagram of the circuit in a working position. Fig. 7 is a side elevation of the main line cut-out switch. Fig. 8 is a face view of the annunciator dial and its pointer, which is carried by the main shaft of the mechanism. Fig. 9 is a detail perspective view of the step contact stop. Fig. 10 is a detail of the main line make and break mechanism; and Figs. 11, 12 andle are side views of each one of the three pairs of transmitting disks. Fig. 13 is a side-view of the normal position of spring contact 88 and cylinder contact plate 226 more fully hereinafter described.

The function of the mechanism to be described, as shown in the patent referred to, is to transmit from a local to a central point, certain classes of signals, and to annunciate locally, the information so transmitted. For

lnstance, the mechanism transmits to a central polnt, by means of a distinctive number, the information that a fire exists ina building indicated by such number, and also I by an additional signal the particular part of the premises affected, it will also locally announce by means of radial plate and a polnter attached to said mechanism, the

same information for the benefit of those tent lever 26 is therefore, in engagement with the end of pendulum 22, thus holding the entire mechanism in check. In the patent referred to a single transmitting wheel is shown, which is of considerable diameter, and on i the periphery of which three classes of signals are cut, viz: 3 cuts to indicate some derangement in the circuit; 3 (repeated) to indicate av fire signal, and single cuts or notches to indicate the sections. This large wheel revolves but once and its shaft carries a pointer which, in connection with a dial, necessarily indicates locally the information transmitted. In the present improvement, this large unwieldly wheel is replaced by 3 very much smaller disks, which revolve a greater number of times; and 3 additional signal disks for the purpose to be described. These 6 disks are shown as a group in Fig. 1 by number 9.7. By 28 is shown a magnet and its armature 29, which is normally retracted so as to close the contacts 30 and 31, the province of which will be indicated later.

The main shaft of the clock movement 81, besides carrying the regular gear wheel 32, by which a typical train of gear wheels, with its pendulum, is driven, carries the gear wheel (not shown in Fig. &) 33; this engages with gear wheel 34 of the same diameter and number of teeth. In turn, 3 engages with pinion or cog-wheel 35, which is suitably fastened to the shaft 36, carrying the six transmitting disks referred to. As pinion 35 has but one third of the number of teeth as cogwheel 34 which actuates it, the break wheel shaft is carried three revolutions while the main shaft 31 of the clock movement is carried but one. This main shaftprojects through the frame-work of the clock movement 37, and carries, on the upper side of said framework, a cog-wheel 38; this is of the same size as 39 which revolves on a short shaft journaled to the framework and which is long enough to support beveled-gear wheel 10, fully shown in Fig. 2. This beveled-gear wheel engages with one of equal size (%1F 2), which is attached to a shaft 12, (Fig. 2), the said shaft being supported by a bearing 43, and a casing fastened to the clock work frame as shown in both Figs. 1 and 2. To the beveled gear shaft is attached the index pointer 4.3, which is carried by it- It is evident therefore that said index pointer revolves once to one revolution of the main shaft.

To the main shaft and just above the wheel 38, is fastened a cog-wheel at, which engages with a gear wheel 45, having one half the number of teeth as its driver 14:, so that said wheel 45, revolves twice while the wheel 14: revolves once. Wheel carries a short cylinder shaft 46, which carries a cogwheel 47, of the same size as wheel 48, with which it is in engagement. A short extension of this shaft 46, is driven tightly into a rubber or woodencylinder as. It will be understood the shaft 16 is journaled to the framework 37, of the clock movement. At the other end of the cylinder 49, is driven a short shaft 50. The cog-wheel 48 driven as described by 47, carries a similar cylinder, its shaft 51, also being journaled to the framework 37, and the cylinder also having at its other end a similar short shaft 52 driven into it. The shafts carrying these 7 two cylinders being journaled as described at one end, are supported at the opposite ends by 53, which is bolted to the support 54, said support being threaded at its opposite end and screwed into the framework.

Referring to the gear wheel 34, the same is fastened to a shaft 57, which extends upward and loosely through the framework. This shaft is journaled to and supported by 56 which is suitably attached to the frame work 37. To the upper end of this shaft is attached a twostep stop (57), by means of an inner hub (Fig. 9), and a set screw 59.

It is deemed suflicient to describe the two lower cylinders 60 and 61, their shafts, frames, &c., by stating they are connected to the mechanism in identically the same way as those above described; the wheel 62 performing the same function as above dethat of the above described gear wheel 39.

As far as the mechanism has now been described, it is seen that while the main shaft of the clock work is revolving once, the

index pointer 43, and the two step stop revolve once; and that the 4 cylinders 49, e9,

60 and 61, revolve twice, while the signal disks 27, revolvethree times. A reference to gear wheels 62 and 63 will show that while 63 with its corresponding wheel 45,

has its teeth intact, the main shaft wheel 62 and its corresponding wheel as, have certain parts of their teeth cut away; so that the action of cylinders .49 and 49 and that of 60 and 61 is intermittent. These wheels are howevernormally in engagement.

. In connection with the signal disks 27, are

contact pieces 6st and 65, the upper ends only being shown in Fig. 1; while Fig. 10 shows the details thereof. These two spring contacts are suitably fastened to the insulating lug 66, which is in turn fastened to the metallic base and weight 67. This base withits insulated holder and its cont-act pieces 6st and 65, drops by gravity to two different positions other than its normal 7 (as shown on Fig. 1), as the clock work progressesQ The necessity of its being of suiiicient weight is therefore apparent. The base 67,

has running through it, under the shaft 36 (which conceals part of same in the draw ing), the shaft or rod 68 to which it (67), is

securely fastened. This rod slides through the frame of the clock work in holes slightly larger than itself so as to allow free move ment thereof. From the upper end of this rod, to which it is fastened, and extending at right angles to same, is a lever 69, the free end of which rests on the upper edge of the contact step stop 57". The normal position of the free end (the step stop turning in the direction of the arrow when the clock movement is active), of lever 69 would be at the point indicated by 70.

' Arranged along the sides of the four cylinders 19, 49, 60 and 61, are a series of spring contacts, the top ends of which are shown in Fig. 1. A side view of part of same is shown in Fig. 2; in Fig. 3 is'shown the manner in which they connect with the cylinders and in which they are fastened to the base of the whole mechanism, which base is of an insulating material. Of these contact springs there are 8 on each of the two upper cylinders, and 10 on' each of the two lower ones. The lower ones are sectionizing cylinders, and the number of springs connected therewith determine the" capacity'of the box for sectionizing. Thus the ten pairs of springs would sectionize for eight sections the two. lower springs on Lopposite sides and the two upper ones being V necessary to connect the sectionlzing springs proper to the rest of the circuit.

Referring to Fig. 5: this is adiagram of the circuit when in its normal condition. It will be understood that'each of these boxes and the building it protects, is operated by,

a local battery, the signal to the central point being relayed by the signal disks and their spring contacts in a well known manner.. The circuit is as follows: Starting from one pole of the battery 71, the main closed circuit runs by wire 72 to cylinder contact spring 73, cylinder bridge 74, spring 75, to wires 76 and 77; these wires 76 and 77 running continuously through a building back to spring 78, bridge 79, spring 80 and wires 81 and 82, also running continuously through the building, back to spring 83 bridge 84 spring 85, wire 86 to trip magnet coil 25, wire 87, spring 88, wire 89, to the first of lower set of springs 90, bridge 91, spring 92 loop 93 (constituting the first section into which a building may be divided), spring 94, bridge 95, spring 96, loop 97 (constituting a second section), spring 98, bridge 99, spring 100, loop 101 (third section), and so on to spring 102, wire 103, to relay magnet coil' 28, to spring 104, bridge 105, spring 106, to ground 107, to ground 108, spring 109, bridge 110, spring 111 to contact spring 64, wire 112 through relay armature contacts 113, wire 114, spring 115, bridge 116, spring 117, wire 118, to battery. Two open arms run from each pole of bat tery viz: 119 and 120, respectively to springs 121 and 122. Their purpose will be hereafter described. From this descriptionof the circuit it will be seen that with the exception of the two short wires last referred to, every vital contact spring and magnet wire in the boX, and all wires running through the protected building, has a current normally flowing through them, and this current also flowing through the mag net coils 25, its armature 24 holds the mechanism in check, the dial pointer 43, (Fig. 8), pointing to the indication O. K. on the dial. At this time all the cylinder contact springs, are connected in series by bridges as shown in Fig. 5, and in detail by cylinder 49 of Fig. 1. It is necessary, in order to set the box to normal, to push the armature of relay magnet 28 toits contact 30 inasmuch, as shown in Fig. 5 at 113, those contacts form part of the circuit. In practice the trip and relay armature are arranged as shown in Fig. 1, gravity being used for retraction.

In order to describe the partial operation of the mechanism at this point, such as would be caused by any derangement of the circuit other than that caused by the normal operation of a thermostat; the transmitting disk 27 may be described in more detail. The province of these disks, as shown, is to transmit in a well known manner, the different classes of signals: to a central point.

They are divided in groups of two, there being three of these groups, or 6 disks in all. Each of a pair contain such notches or cuts as are necessary to transmit the same signal in different forms. Referring to i Fig. 1,

disks, in connection with their contact springs, transmit, in the course of their revolution, what may be designated derangement signals, as well as fire signals; one of them (202) with its contact alternately opening and closing the circuit, and thereby operating the signal 216 by means of battery 217; and the other 201, in conjunction with its contact, alternately throwing a ground on and ofi the main line; the contact spring 64, being grounded as shown in Fig. 5, (108), and the disk being also connected with a main line containing the signal 211, the battery 212, and ground 214. These two are typical main line transmitting circuits, commonly known as closed and open circuits. The derangements which will be indicated by the contact wheels 201 and 202 are: first, a break in the local circuit; second, a breaking of the local battery 71, which is practically the same thing; third, the grounding of the local circuit; and fourth, the crossing of a local section wire (as 101 loop Fig.5), with a continuous wire, as 76, 77 Fig. 5, or 8182 Fig. 5. As will be shown, the crossing of a section wire with both of the continuous wires, at or about the same time, which condition arises from the normal action of the thermostat 225 (Fig. 5), will cause the mechanism to give the fire alarm, by revolving the signal wheels shaft at least twice and as much farther as the particular section affected admits.

In the case of a break of a wire say at a 3rd section Fig. 5, the clock works starts by the retraction of the armature 24 by gravity, and the release of the pendulum 22 by the detent 26, (Fig. 1). The group of signal wheels 27, revolve in the direction of the arrow (from left to right), and the mechanism is stopped only after the signal 27 (see 201 and 202), is transmitted over their respective circuits as shown; because by the operation of the cylinders, (all four of which are thrown out of normal on the first movement of the clock work), the circuit is changed so that the current will again flow through magnet coils 25, attract the trip armature to its magnet, and check the clock work at such a point as will permit only the signal 27 to be transmitted. The circuit thus restored through the trip magnet coils is as follows: from battery 71 (see Fig. 6), wires 119 and 72, to cylinder contact plate 226 and through said plate to spring 85, wire 86, through magnet coils 25, wire 87, wire 89 to and through spring 90 (Fig. 6), cylinder contact plate 215 to lower spring 90 wire 91, spring 92', cylinder plate 216, and along said plate to upper spring 102,

and from thence through wire 103, coil 28, spring 122, plate 227, spring 117 to battery by wires 120 and 118; thus short-circuiting all the section wires as well as the two continuous wires which constitute practically all the wires running through the building protected. In the event of a grounding of either one of the continuous or section wires, the same signal would be transmitted, although the cause of the starting ofthe mechanism in the case of a ground on either continuous wire, would be a different one than that which would cause the mechanism to start if a section wire were grounded. Should a ground occur on the continuous wire 76-77 say at t, the coils of trip magnet 25 would be shunted out as follows: battery 71 (Fig. 5), wire 118, wire 120, spring 117, bridge 116, spring 115 to ground 108, to trouble ground at t, wire 76, spring 75, bridge 7a, spring 7 3 and wire 72 to opposite pole of battery. This shunt would cause the mechanism to start and continue until said shunt was removed. In the case of a break, as shown, the circuit is restored and the mechanism stopped as described. In the event of a short-circuiting or shunting 'as just explained, the mechanism is stopped by the throwing off of the normal or detecting ground, by the operation of the cylinder &9 and its contact plate 230, Fig. 1. After this cylinder moves as described, in the direction of the arrow, on the starting of the mechanism, and as shown at Fig. 5, the two springs 106 and 109 connected to grounds 107 and 108, are, together with springs 111 and 115 cut entirely away from the rest of the circuit, and all of them rest on the cylindercontact plate 230, as shown at Figs. 1 and 6. The detecting ground or grounds which are part of the shunt, being thus disconnected from the circuit, the current is restored through the trip coils, and the signal disks 201, and 202 are stopped at a particular point in their revolution, so as to transmit the attention or trouble signal referred to. Referring to Fig. 11, which shows the two signal disks involved thus far, theletters f. f. indicate about the location on the disks where the points of the contact springs 6a and rest, when r the mechanism is at its normal position.

is essential that the disks, incase of such,

troubles, and the pointer 13 of dial shown by Fig; 8, and which follows the mechanism, should stop at about the same place;

and further, in order to prevent the stop ping of the mechanism before it has sent in a complete trouble signal (as by a temponary break or ground), provis on now to be is normally resting on the insulated portion of cylinder 226. As shown by Fig. 5,' this spring is one side and constitutes part of an open shunt around the trip coil 25, while spring immediately adjoining it, is connected to the other side of said trip coil. It is evident that the bridging of these two springs will shunt the trip coils and keep the mechanism in operation after the same is started by the causes above enumerated. As will be seen from Fig. 15, just after the movement is started, the contact plate 226 cut away so as to normally disconnect spring 88 from the circuit, comes in contact with said spring, thus connecting springs 85 and 88, bridging the trip coils and causing the clock work and with it the disks 201 and 202, to run until the points of their contact springs, are opposite the location on the disks indicated by g. g. At that time the shunt, of. which spring 88 is a part,lis broken, because of the disconnection of said spring from the circuit by means of the break in the contact plate 226. Fi 13.

a section wire should be grounded the relay coils would be shunted by means of a bridge or shunt formed from the detecting ground 108 to the trouble ground. The shunting of these coils 28 (Fig.5), would cause the armature and its contact at 113, to break the whole local circuit and the subsequent action of the mechanism would be exactly the same as in the event of abreak in any other part of the circuit. It is plain that the action of the mechanism in thus.

transmitting a trouble signal would be followed by the pointer 18, which would be" operation ofla thermostat and would indi cate an undue or dangerous temperature or a cross between a section wire and one of the continuous wires. 5633.75 dated July 7, 1896, and issued to myself, shows in. detail the thermostat A reference to; Patent which is preferably used inconnection here- 7 with. This thermostat has two contact screws (as shown here by Fig. 5), one of which 2&0, is shown as being fartherfrom the thermostatic disk than the other 241;

the latter being adjusted relative tothe disk so as tocome into contact with" it, say at degrees of temperature, while'the former the disk at say degrees. In the event of the temperature rising to the lower point (130 degrees), from a cause other than that of an actual conflagration, it would be} imwould be adjusted to come into contact with portant that information of such fact be transmited to the central point for appropriate action. A distinctive signal of this or its equivalent an accidental cross between the wires, is very simply given as follows: The thermal disk 225, coming into contact with the contact screw 2 11, would bridge or shunt out the trip magnet coils (see Fig. 5), by the following circuit around said coils: from battery 71, wire 72, spring 73, bridge 74-, spring 75, wires 7 6 and 77, spring 78, bridge 79, spring 80, wire 81, through screw 2&1 to disk 225, to and through section spring 100, around as shown in the description of the circuit first given, to the opposite pole of the battery. This shunt would cause the mechanism to run until the points of contact springs 64 and 65, Fig. 11, were each opposite the point of the disks marked 71.. h. respectively. Not only, then, would the signal 72 be transmitted but an additional impulse over the main line be given by the lug i on disk 201, and the notch 2" on disk 202. This would indicate at central office that either there was a cross of the wires in the building protected, or an undue heat which should be promptly attended to. The reason of the stopping of the mechanism at this point is as follows: The shunt or cause of the mechanisms release is removed by disconnecting either the section springs (Fig. 5), from the circuit, or the continuous wire springs 80 and 83. As the cylinders and their contact plates controlling the sec- .tion springs, do not come into action until a later period, the springs 80 and 83 must be automatically disconnected in order to stop the mechanism. Referring to Fig. 6, it will be seen that at two certain points (242 and 248), in the contact plate 226, covering the cylinder, the said plate is cut away, leaving those portions of the cylinders insulated; so that when the cylinder moves far enough the continuous wire terminal springs 80 and 83, are disconnected from the circuit, and the shunt is broken. Similarly if a cross should occur between a section wire and the other continuous wire the action would be practically the same, except that two instead of one impulse would follow the signal.

It may be remarked that the low point of the thermostat is always connected with the same continuous wire (that wire the terminals of which are disconnected first), and the high point with the other continuous wire. If the continuous wire connected with the high side of a thermostat, should cross with a section wire, a practically similar shunt, starting the mechanism, would be destroyed after the same should run somewhat farther and so as to cause another indication to be transmitted by the lug e on disk 201, and the notch e on disk 202. If that were the case, the second out 6 of disk 202 (Fig. 11), would allow 67 (Fig. 1), with the 2 contact springs 64 and 65, to drop to the second pair of signal disks, because at that point the shaft 68 and its lever 69 would drop off, by gravity from the first step of the device 70; and the contact springs fixed to same would be ready to act in conjunction with disks 203 and 204, Fig. 12. The use of the cut 6 to allow of the drop and at the same time act as a part of the signal transmitter, is considered an important practical feature of the contrivance. After the drop is made as described, the two contact springs rest about in the position marked 70. 7a. 011 the two disks 208 and 20a.

There has now been described the manner of transmitting the class of signals deslgnated derangement or trouble signals and the manner in which the same have been locally indicated by the pointer and dial; it being understood that the extent of the revolution of the transmitting disks determines the class of signal transmitted, and that, as the pointer follows these movements, its posltion will indicate the same information as is transmitted, the dial being suitably marked as shown.

Before describing the operation of the machinery in the transmission of a fire alarm, the movement of the four cylinders and their contacts plates, and springs which act to check the mechanism, will be referred to more 1n detail. As an examination will dlsclose, these cylinders turn in the direction of the arrows, or each pair toward one another. On the first movement of the clock work, the two upper cylinders are turned so that their contact springs are all disconnected from their series bridges (see Figs. 1 and 5), and thrown into connection with one another by the contact plates 226 in the case of cylinder 49. The contact springs of cylinder 49 are disconnected similarly and thrown into electrical contact in groups, as shown in Fig. 1. This figure shows the cylinder L9 in its normal position, while the cylinder &9 is shown in a working posit-ion with spring 111, shown out of contact from reasons described later. These two cylinders, after the starting of the clock work, continue their revolution until the trouble signals described, a break, ground, or a single cross are indicated. In the event of the double cross signals described, they finish their revolution and are then at rest. The driving cog-wheel 38, connected to the main shaft as described, has nine of its six teen teeth cut away so that, as the wheel 45 their position after a fire signal coming from the sixth section of a building had been transmitted. The normal position of the springs is shown in Fig. 5 as being in series through the bridges 91, 95, 99, and so forth. As in the case of the two upper cylinders (Fig. 1), on the first movement of the mechanism from any cause these cylinders are turned toward one another and all of their springs electrically connected, there to remain until the proper time, when the two terminal springs of each section are successively disconnected by means of the steps Z, m, n, p, the other two steps on cylin? der 61 not being shown. The cog-wheel 62, connected to main shaft and actuating 63, has its teeth cut away to the extent of one half, so that these lower cylinders also revolve only once. It will be seen by reference to these wheels (62, 63) that the teeth are barely in engagement and that a small movement of the clock work, and consequently the cylinders, is made before the same, by reason of the cut away teeth, are out of gear. Such number of teeth are cut away from 62 that the cylinders are inactive after their first movement, and until called upon for further service, which is after the second or fire number (which designates the building affected), is transmitted, and it becomes necessary to transmit the signal showing in what section of the building the fire is located.

From the above description given as to the effect of the crossing of a section Wire with either of the continuous wires, and the resultant stopping of the mechanism, by the automatic breaking of the shunt, it will be seen that if both continuous wires be crossed at or about the same time the clock movement would not stop running as before indicated, because at all times there would be a shunt of which at least one of these continuous wires would constitute part of such shunt; so that the movement, continuing on, would cause disks 203 and 204 (Fig. 12), to transmit their signals (334), to the central point, the said signal being the fire signal such as would be caused by the complete action of a thermostat, viz: the con-.

tact of both contact screws (241 and 240, Fig. 5), with the disk 225 connected to a section wire as shown. As an operated thermostat must be connected to one of the sec- .tion wires, the fire signal would be transmitted, followed by a certain number of impulses to indicate the floor or section. Disks 203 and 204 not only transmit the fire signal but one and part of another (first and second), of the section signals by means of the lug 250 on 203, (Fig. 12), and cut 251 on 204; and if the mechanism was checked at a point to indicate the first section the contact spring would rest at the point marked 3/. y. on these disks. The movement wouldbe checkedat this point because at that time the step off or section cylinders (Fig. 1), would have started by means of gear wheel 62 engaging with the wheel 63,

and progressed far enough for the step 1 to have disconnected springs 2 and 3 from the circuit; thus destroying the shunt. In the event section 2 should operate, or following sections, the contact springs of disks 203 and 204 would be permitted to drop, as before described, through the second section cut w. of disk 204, to the third pair of signal disks 205 and 206, which as before described are sect-ion indicating disks. The operation of the system in the event of the full operation of a thermostat on any other, section would be the same. On wheels 205 and 206, after the 8th section indication marked a. (0., are two more notches and cuts respectively. If the two short wires leading from the battery 71(Fig. 5), 72 and 118 should break between the battery and the mechanism, the two extra wires 120 and 119, would be joined to the circuit just after the starting of movement, (Fig. 6) and thus the efficiency of the system as affected by such condition would be preserved. If, however, the battery itself should be disconnected, the whole mechanism would run down and in addition to all the signals referred to, two additional impulses, indicating this, would be transmitted by the two additional notches and cuts just referred to. It will be borne in mind that the pointer 43 (Fig. 8), would as shown indicate the section number in case of fire, as well as any other signal transmitted.

In Patent Number 563,586, dated July 7th, 1896, issued to myself, there is shown an automatic repeating device. The lug .2 shown on signal disk wheel 203, isthe lug equivalent to the prolonged ground contact 0 of that patent. As is disclosed therein this ground lug permits the grounding of the main line circuit for a comparatively prolonged period, long enough for the mech anism to cut in a repeater circuit connected with a third station, such as municipal fire-alarm headquarters; so that the fire signal only may be repeated on, in order hat a battery signal such as has been described and which causes the whole mechanism to run down, may not cause the fire signal 334, to be repeated to the third station, provision herein shown will be described for suppressing. this prolonged ground in the event of such a (battery) signal. By reference to Fig. 1,.it will be seen that springs 106, 109, 111 and 115 are connected together after the starting of the box, and by reference to Fig. 5, it will be seen that 111 and 115 are both connected to contact spring 64, 111 direct, and 115 through the armature contact of magnet coil 28.

,These two springs, 111 and 115, are also connected to the two grounds 107 and 108 by means of the springs 106 and 109, and the plate 260:}, and are isolated from the local circuit after the starting of the movement, so that the spring 64, is grounded from two sources, the armature contact 113 being intact. If however, the battery fails this contact 113 is broken, and the spring 64 is grounded, only through the spring 111. By reference to Fig. 1 it will be seen this spring is out of contact with its plate. This is to illustrate the condition produced as shown in Fig. 6, by the cut away portion 229 of the plate 227 when the electrical contact be tween said plate and spring is broken. When the lug 2, Fig. 12, is in contact with the spring 64, the spring 111 is passing over the insulated portion of the cylinder 229, and out of contact with the ground; so that both grounds being destroyed, in the event of a battery signal the same is not permitted to be repeated from the central point.

Referring to Figs. 11, 12 and 14, it will be seen that they show three pairs of transmitting disks to wit 201 and 202, 203 and 204, and 205 and 206; 201 and 202 being shown in an open grounded circuit and 203 and 204, in a closed metallic circuit. Each pair transmits the same signal and are for the purpose only of transmitting the signals in duplicate. By providing for a plurality of small disks and causing them to revolve more than once in the manner shown, a longer signal may be given and without ad ditional contact springs one of which only need be employed, and which is made to shift from one disk to another so as not to disturb the continuity of the signal. It will be also noted that either the contact spring may shift relative to the disks and at right angles to the direction of their movement (as shown), or the springs may be fixed and the disks likewise shifted, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

The claims are:

1. In an electrical distinctive signal transmitting device, a motor driven clock mechanism, an electromagnetic actuating or releasing device therefor, a shaft of said clock mechanism carrying a series of distinctive signal transmitting disks connected with one pole of a current generator and fixed to their shaft, selectively shifting contact points cooperating with the disks and connected with the opposite pole of the genera tor, and circuit controllers (such as thermostats), in circuit with the said actuating or releasing device, substantially as described.

2. A motor driven mechanism including an electrical signaling device, an electro magnetic controller therefor, a normally closed circuit through the said magnet including a battery, a series of loops on either side between the battery and the ma netic 0 b controller, spring contact terminals normally in circuit with said battery and said loops, switch contact brldges normally connecting said terminals and loops in series with said battery, and normally open switch bridges for directly connecting the said spring terminals, substantially as described.

3. A motor driven mechanism including an electrical signaling device, an electromagnetic controller therefor, a normally closed circuit through the said magnetic controller including a battery, a series of loops on either side between the battery and the magnetic controller, spring contactterminals normally in circuit with said battery and loops, switch contact bridges normally connecting said terminals and loops and in series with the battery, normally open switch bridges for directly connecting the said spring terminals, and a resistance coil constituting an electromagnet between the battery and the series of loops on one side of the battery, substantially as described.

4. In an electrical signal transmitting device two or more notched disks fixed to a clock-work shaft making more than one revolution to complete a definite signal said disks connected to one pole of a current generator, a spring contact cooperating therewith connected to the opposite pole of the generator and arranged to mechanically shift from one disk to another and at right angles to the direction of movement of the disks; a suitable releasing device for starting the clock-mechanism, and apparatus at a distant station for receiving the signals therefrom, substantially as described.

5. In an electrical signal transmitting device two or more notched disks fixed to a clock-work mechanism shaft making more than one revolution to complete a definite signal said disks connected to one pole of a current generator, a spring contact cooperating therewith connected to the opposite pole of the generator and arranged to mechanically shift from one disk to another and at right angles to the direction of movement of the disks, an electromagnetic releasing device for starting the clock mechanism and in circuit with switches (such as thermostats) located at a second station, and apparatus at a distant station for receiving the signals from the said disks and the contact spring, substantially as described.

6. In an electrical signal transmitting device two or more notched disks fixed to a clock-work mechanism shaft making more than one revolution to complete a definite signal, the said disks being notched to transmit a series of distinctive signals and connected to one pole of a current generator; a spring contact cooperating therewith connected to the opposite pole of the generator and arranged to mechanically shift from one disk to another and at right angles to the direction of movement of the disks; an distant station for receiving the said diselectromagnetic actuating device for starttinctive signals, substantially as described. 10 ing the clock-mechanism and in circuit with In testimony whereof I have afliXed my circuit controllers (such as thermostats) losignature in presence of two witnesses.

cated at a second station, an index pointer JOSEPH WV. FROST. attached to the main shaft of the clock- Witnesses:

mechanism, a dial the face of which is trav- HORACE R. GEORGE,

ersed by said pointer, and apparatus at a- XVM. B. DOWNEY.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

